Page 48 of The Devil's Playground

Because I saw him inputting his address into the GPS, I’m not surprised when he takes us back to the apartment complex where Royce and a few of the other Sinners live. I haven’t gone inside of the Suites just yet, though I’ve been in the car when he stopped by to grab something from his place.

Tonight? It looks like I’m finally getting the chance to see where Royce lives… and I believe that until he uses a card from his wallet to engage the elevator, taking us all the way up to the penthouse floor.

Part of the reason I kept quiet for the last leg of the drive was because Royce was on his phone, furiously texting. I didn’t have the nerve to point out that texting and driving was a shitty idea, and by the time he’s knocking on the door, nodding at the dark-skinned man opening it up for us, I’m even more confused about what’s going on—until the man at the door says, “Hey, Rolls. Devil’s already headed out. He said he’ll meet you at the Playground.”

“Thanks, Case. You’re gonna keep an eye on the girls?”

“That’s what Devil told me to do.”

Royce checks the watch on his wrist. “Is Ava sleeping?”

“No,” comes a contralto woman’s voice. “Even if my husband wasn’t whisked away by his second before I could take him to bed with me, this kid has decided that kicking me and sending me off to pee every two seconds is their idea of fun.”

“I told you,” Case says as the mysterious Ava steps into the hallway. “That kid of yours is gonna be a football star someday.”

“Football. Soccer. That’s fine. I just can’t handle it being my bladder. It’s like I’m going to piss on myself—and, oh. I didn’t realize Royce was bringing a guest. Is this Nicolette? I’ve been dying to meet Nicolette.”

I look at him. Then I look at Ava and, yup, a couple of different things fall into place for me. Because while the pretty brunette with the stunning green eyes has a petite build, that just means the large belly protruding from her middle is all the more obvious.

She’s pregnant. Very pregnant.

And, somehow, she knows who I am.

“This is Nic,” Royce says, introducing me needlessly. She’d guessed right. “Nic, this is Ava Crewes, Link’s wife.”

Oh.

Oh.

And there goes the last of the puzzle pieces.

Whoops. Looks like I was jealous of Devil’s pregnant wife. Well, at least that’s better than Royce hiding another girlfriend from me… even if I don’t quite understand why he’s brought me to meet her at nine o’clock at night.

And then he kisses me on the forehead. “Stay with Ava. I’ll be back soon.”

“Where are you going?”

“To make sure you’re safe,” is his response. He takes my hand in his, squeezing my fingers, then nods at Case. “I’ll be back for her as soon as I’m done.” Over Case’s shoulder, he adds, “Take care of my girl, Ava.”

“Take care of my husband, Royce and I will.”

He gives her a crooked grin, squeezes my fingers one last time, and then he’s gone.

With one hand on her belly, Ava gestures at me to move further into the very expensive-looking hallway with the other. “Come on in, Nicolette. Case? We’re going to sit in the living room.”

“I’ll watch the door. Don’t worry. No one’s getting past me.”

She beams at the man, but as soon as she gestures for me to follow her into this massive living room with a chandelier attached to the ceiling, and couches I’m afraid I’ll dirty by sitting on, she whispers to me, “Sorry about the bodyguard. That’s all Link. We’re never safer than in the Suites, but he insists, and I’m sure you’ll agree: with these men, it’s just easier to pick your battles.”

I can’t say she isn’t right.

Ava picks a white loveseat to plop down awkwardly on. She pats the cushions next to her. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

My back goes ramrod straight without even joining her on the couch. “You have?”

“Of course. It’s a big thing when one of the Sinners in the inner circle get a serious girlfriend. Right now, there’s only two wives, me and Jasmine… have you met Jas?”

I shake my head.

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